Estatus Restaurante en Panama

Day 353 (Dia trescientos cincuenta tres) - Thursday (Jueves)

The other night we went to a newer restaurant that opened in the El Congrejo section of Panama City called Estatus. This is a bistro/lounge that serves up a variety of entrees, appetizers, drinks, and desserts. Pricing was good and serving sizes were excellent.

Our rating is good value for the money, PLUS they have live music every night at 9pm

No they don't!!!

Day 352 (Dia trescientos cincuenta dos) - Wednesday (Miercoles)

Never thought we would see this day in Panama, the grocery stores are starting to have coupons on items. Yikes, I guess they truly want to be the next America.  Panama has always offered sale prices but now coupons on food items? Well it is true and here is the proof.

The Panama News

Day 351 (Dia trescientos cincuenta uno) - Tuesday (Martes)

There is a newspaper in English (OK another newspaper in English) that comes out on the first and third weekends only that gives us up to date information that you can use. Here is their website http://www.thepanamanews.com. I like to share all of this so folks thinking about Panama can get all perspectives.

Enjoy...

O to be a tourist in Panama

Day 350 (Dia trescientos cincuenta) - Monday (Lunes)

It was tourism day for us, off to Gamboa with an expedition to the Embera-Woonaan Indian Tribal area. Now we are not big on tourista things but what the hey, wanted to culture ourselves a little. This was a 3 hour tour (hmmmm sounds like a Gilligan redux) that took us through the Gamboa rain forest, pretty interesting stuff. First off we headed to the Panama Canal to cruise through the canal for a while and stop off to feed some monkeys. Plus, seeing those large container ships is something to behold, commerce at its finest.

Back through the Chagres River to the Indian village where we were greeted by the youngsters and entered their village and met the whole gang. Actually no Embera were around today, we were greeted by Woonaan's who actually hail from Columbia (made sense to me as Panama was once part of Columbia). Here's what Wikipedia says about the tribes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embera-Wounaan.

Here's our day in pictures...

Health & Beauty, tis for everyone

Day 349 (Dia trescientos cuarenta nueve) - Sunday (Domingo)

The Sheraton in Panama City is hosting the Health & Beauty Spa show this weekend, so off we went for our adventure to see what it was all about.  It was so-so, but they were having many booths with massage oils, hydrating creams, sugar free hershey chocolates (Can there be such a thing?), new technology for vains, stomachs, ass toning, etc....  Basically no one was at this thing, not sure why.

Also in attendance was our friend Stephanie from OfertaSimple.com and we ran into a gal from Beverly, IL that is working for the Peace Corp here in Panama, twas interesting.

Also, the 1st edition of a new magazine here in Panama called Encuentro, this magazine is not being offered anywhere yet until after the show. The magazine will highlight restaurants and things to do here in Panama. Look for it at your local supermarkets and pharmacies.

The Panama Canal Treaty - Updated

Day 348 (Dia trescientos cuarenta ocho) - Saturday (Sabado)

We have a correction to the below information, Omar Torrijos was NOT a President of Panama he was a Commander of the Panamanian and National Guard and the de facto leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981. 

Thanks goes out to one of our blog readers...

The treaty to turn the full operation over to Panama was signed by President Jimmy Carter and President Omar Torrijos in 1977. The treaty relinquished control by the US to Panama on Dec 31st 1999.  As with anything in life there are many opinions on this treaty, many say it made sense as the canal is on Panama soil and belongs to them. Others say, wait a minute, the US poured blood, sweat, tears, and money into the building and operation of the canal, so why just give it back. And somewhere in between many believe it should still be a joint operation and both countries sharing in the billions of dollars that it takes in annually.

No matter what side you fall on the debate, the canal now belongs solely to Panama and it has helped this country soar financially, and it seems once again America gave up billions in annual revenue, but who needs that money anyways?

Yes it happens

Day 347 (Dia trescientos cuarenta siete) - Friday (Viernes)

The week started off with no water beginning on Tuesday throughout Panama City. First, there was a pipe break that served the main water location for the whole city, that took a day to get fixed, then when we were reading that 85% of the city was back online we still did not have water.

Well of course we didn't have water, our section of the city also had a broken valve so they could not turn on our water until that got fixed, that was an additional day. It was no big deal not having water for a couple of days, but as we all know that could have turned into weeks as that is exactly what happened a couple of years back when Panama City was without water supply for 3 months.  WE WERE LUCKY!!